24 things I've learned since becoming a mother

1. Yelling is not sufficient motivation to flush the toilet after each use. Nor is identifying the perpetrator.

2.There are things/ questions only a dad can answer and do. That is good. It in no way threatens our usefulness as mothers.

3. I'm so glad when daddy comes home.

4. Nothing sucks the creativity out of children faster that television first thing in the morning.

5. It doesn't matter all that much if others think you are a good mom. The most important thing is what you think about yourself. This can be a blessing and a curse.

6. What your kids wear does not determine if you are a good mom or not. (See # 5)

7. Pick your battles... carefully.

8. Sometimes "I'll think about it." is a really good answer.

9. Sometimes "Sure" is an even better answer.

10. Worse case scenerios should be avoided.

11. It's ok to eat the chip that is laying on the counter but be prepared just in case all the salt has been licked off.

12. Life isn't fair. If it was fair we wouldn't have or need agency.

13. Outfits on babies are over rated, I'll take one piece jammies with feet any day. Simplify.

14. A shower is an important part of the success of any given day.
15. Shrieking is lame.

16. There can be a spot for everything i.e.: a "naughty" spot; a "happy" spot; a "reverent" spot; a "talk to me with a little more respect" spot... you get the picture.

17. Nothing is as sweet as when a child does something without being asked...

18. ...except maybe an "I love you" when nothing is wanted...

19....or playing with a sibling without coersion.

20. Sometimes we just need a bit more sleep.

21. Yelling will not get anyone out the door faster. (But it could start the day out real bad.)

22. Repeat after me, "It's going to be oookaaaaay."

23. Breakfast isn't the most important meal of the day. Dinner is.
(And I'm not talkin' 'bout the food.)

24. I won't ever be the perfect parent. I will make mistakes. I can only hope that my kids will know that the mistakes I've made were mistakes made out of love, not neglect or hurt. Just love.

Family fun

HMMM... what to do when it's cold outside.

Our kids have no problem finding fun (albeit dangerous) things to do.

It looks more dangerous than it actually was.

McCade fully rotated and landed every time.

So did Grace. And Bella... she believes she can fly.

Bella's bangs

While we were visiting Val & Tami this weekend my niece Kaitlyn did Bella's hair for her, she swept Miss B's bangs over to the side.

Bella became obsessed.

She carried a comb around for the rest of the day wetting and combing the bangs to the side. She has wanted them swooped over ever since.

Yesterday I saw her spitting in her hand and wiping her bangs to the side. She did it three times before it registered what she was doing.

That is some sweet styling product.

Rolling with Riggins

As you can see, Riggins is starving nearly to death.Wasting away...


He is rolling all over the place, front to back until he gets himself stuck against something, then he puts up a racket until someone comes and rescues him.
He is delightful with his smiles, easy laugh and chubby cheeks. Now, if we could just get him to sleep through the night...

Profoundly Grateful

I read the book "A Thousand Splendid Suns" on the recommendation of my friend, Michelle B and my cousin, Lyndi. I got done and felt a little changed and ...profoundly grateful.

Then last night at work we started talking movies which somehow led to the movie "Boy in Striped Pajamas" which led to the Holocaust which led to a horrible/ true story of how a Cambodian girl escaped death. (I'll tell you if you ask me.) As I drove home from work in the dark I felt... profoundly grateful.
I've been thinking about it all day long and I have to try to put it into words...Not that I will be able to do it justice but...

First, being born in the USA; millions/billions of people just unlucky enough to be born into a different country. Countries where my very existence as a female would be enough to bring my demise. Countries where I may not get to choose who, when, why I'd marry. Countries where I would live in constant fear, for my own life, health and (worse yet) constantly fear for those I love. I could spend all night just on this alone.

Second I was born to parents who wanted and deeply love me. Wait... back up, I was born to parents (plural). My parents never raised a hand to me, seldom even raised a voice (that my own kids should be so lucky.) They raised me to believe that I could be and do anything I wanted. Raised me to believe I am smart, beautiful, talented, wonderful, funny... It's hard to doubt yourself when surrounded at every turn with such love and faith.

Speaking of faith... To be born into a home where I learned of a loving Father in Heaven. Taught that I am a daughter of God. That mistakes are made and recovered from, hurts healed, broken hearts mended with the help of a loving Savior. Taught to pattern my life after great men and women who are full of integrity, honor, courage, compassion, and faith. Taught that there is life after this. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity I have had to consistently learn things that bring me closer to my husband, family, God, and the person I want to be.

And that's just being born... The safety and peace I enjoyed growing up cannot be taken for granted.

The opportunity I had to go to college and choose for myself what I wanted to be and who I wanted to marry. Both great choices.

Matt. A good man. A responsible man. Hard working and smart. Funny and athletic. Spiritual and strong. Handsome and forgiving. A fantastic dad.

Our kids. All healthy and fun and easy to conceive (I had to throw that in... I feel grateful all the time for that.) Grace, McCade, Bella, and Riggins. Each individuals and blessings to me.

My family. My mom is wonderful. She comes to my rescue and never criticizes me. Always loves me and buys me things I wouldn't buy myself. She helps me start and finish projects. She stays with the kids so Matt and I can have time. She's happy and full of faith. My two younger sisters.

Matt's family. I love them like my own.

My friends. I have the very best friends.
A girl could not dream of better friends.

My job.
Matt's job.
A beautiful house and three car garage.
My shoes.
A queen sized bed and down comforter.
My mini van.
A garage. (I thought it worth mentioning twice.)
My new facial cleanser from Arbonne.
My hobbies.
My Ipod.
My new red laptop.
I could go on indefinitely.

I should never have a sad or discouraged thought with a life as rich and full as mine. But I'm even grateful for the gray days. They make the sunshine that much more glorious.

I am blessed.

I am profoundly grateful.

FF-Remodeling part uno

I know you might not want to see these pictures but I think we've established that I don't care. Just kidding.
This used to be a hallway, from the dining room into the back hall. It was destined to become a bigger bedroom, bathroom, and closet for Matt & I.

Such good little helpers! Can you believe I painted so much. This was about 2 weeks from my due date. PS. I wanted to burn my paint clothes but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

This shirt used to be my dad's.

It says, "Take a hike." on the back.

I got it for him the summer I worked at Sgt. Leisure up in Sun Valley.

I still love it..

Garbage day

Thursday is garbage day.
Last Thursday the garbage didn't get taken to the curb.
We have alot of garbage.
Sometimes I put garbage in my neighbor's trash cans. "Nothin' wrong with that," I say.
When I went to put the garbage in my neighbor's can (before taking the kids to school) I decided the snow was deeper than I thought, I changed my mind.
So, the two bags of garbage rode in the front seat.
To school, the "coke store", Albertsons, and then back home again.
I lead an action packed life.